Clasp.



'E. T. CHILDS.

CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14. 1914.

1,151,084. Patented. Aug. 24, 1915.

ENVENTGR- n ltnesses:

fir! (Zifds,

5/ %%W BY I .HT'TORNEV- EARL r. GHILDS, or AKRON, OHIO.

CLASP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented An n-24, 1915.

Application filed November 14, 1914. Serial No. 872,109.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EARL T. G1-IILns,,a cit-i- Zen of the United States, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in clasps for holding such articles as brooms, milk bottles and the like, and the object thereof is to provide a simpleand efhcient clasp whereby such articles as brooms, milk bottles, umbrellas, canes, billiard cues, may be suspended and temporarily supported in such a manner that they may be easily removed and replaced from engagement with the clasp.

A further object is to provide a clasp of the type referred to which will be simple, cheaply made, eflicient in operation and possessing great durability.

With the foregoing and other objectsin view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts constituting the invention to be hereinafter specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof wherein is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the matter hereinafter claimed.

In the drawings in which similar reference numerals indicate like parts in the different figures, Figure 1, is a perspective view of a device embodying this invention looking at one side thereof; and, Fig. 2, is a similar view looking at the opposite side.

The device is preferably constructed of sheet metal possessing a relatively high degree of elasticity so as to be capable of returning to its normal conformation after repeated distortions due to use.

The device embodies a pair of approximatelysimilar members 1 and 2 each of which consists of a strip of sheet metal bent to provide a support-engaging portion 3 provided with an aperture 4: through which may be passed a hold-fast device for securing it to a supporting medium. Each of the members is provided with a portion 5 bent at an acute angle to the portion 3 and when the device is assembled the inner portions of the members 5 are in a substantially contacting relation with respect to each other inclined away from each other but their inner ends are preferably united by some means such for instance, as rivets 6 which are positioned adjacent to the angles between the portionsv 5' and the support-engaging portions 3, whereby the inner parts of the portions 5 are united together with their outer portions inclined away from each other.

Adapted to inclose the portions 5 is a keeper 7, capable of being slid lengthwise of the members 5 and when slid away from the portions 3 adapted to draw the outer ends of the members 5 toward each other into snug engagement. Extending outwardly and integral with the portions 5 are outwardly-curved portions 8, with their outer ends 9 bent inwardly toward each other and then outwardly-flared at 10 so as to present outwardly-flaring side walls for the reception of the articles to be supported by the device. One of the portions 8 is provided with an inwardly-extending spring tongue ll formed integral with the member 8 adapted to frictionally hold an object supported by the device.

In operation some object such for instance, as a broom handle or a milk bottle, is forced against the divergent ends 10, causing them to separate to permit the article to be positioned in the opening formed by the portions 8 and be securely held thereby. In doing which the inwardly-extending spring tongue 11 engages the object for securely holding it not only against rotation but against movement longitudinally of the axis of the opening formed by the portions 8. In case the object to be sup ported is smaller than can be efliciently and effectually grasped by the portions 8, the member 7 is shifted outwardly toward the convexed portions 8, thereby bringing the ends of the portions 5 near to one another and reducing the normal diameter of the opening formed by the portions 8 so that the device is to a certain extent adjustable within certain limits in order to render it capable of adaption to objects of different diameters.

The provision of the inwardly-extending tongue 11 renders the device peculiarly eflicient in gripping and holding an object from movement longitudinally, the tongue 11 yielding under excessive pressure due to the size of the object, While retaining suf ficient frictional engagement With the ob ject to effectually hold it against movement in the opening, While, at the same time, the provision of the shiftable member 7 enables a device of a predetermined size capable of being changed to permit it to perform its function of supporting objects of different diameters Within reasonable limits.

'I claim A device of the character described comprising a pair of members having apertured support-engaging portions arranged in the same plane and extending in opposite directions from each other, each of said portions provided With outwardly-projecting extensions arranged at approximately right angles to said first portion and With the ends thereof adjacent to said first portions united together, the outer parts of the projecting portions outwardly-inclined away from each other, said inclined portions provided With outwardly convexed fingers having outwardly-flared separated terminals, one of the conveXed fingers provided With an integral inwardly-projecting spring tongue extending longitudinally of said finger, the normal tendency of Which is to project into the space inclosed by said fingers and arranged to frictionally engage an object supported by said fingers, and a loop-shaped keeper shiftably mounted on the inclined portions of said members and adapted to change the normal position of the flared terminals thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

EARL T. CHILDS. Witnesses A. L. MOGLINTOCK, C. E. HUMMPHREY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). 0. 

